Hunters Killing a Giant Serpent 1602

Editor: This is "Hunters Killing a Giant Serpent" by Antonio Tempesta. It's an etching, and the detail is incredible! It feels incredibly dynamic. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Look at the process of etching. How was the copper plate treated, bitten by acid, inked, and then pressed to create multiple reproductions? The labour involved and how this affected the distribution of images is crucial. Consider who had access to such prints and how they were consumed. What socio-economic factors drove the need for this imagery? Editor: So, it's less about the literal scene and more about the context of how it was made and who saw it? Curator: Precisely. By examining the materiality and distribution, we gain insight into the culture that produced and consumed it. Editor: That’s a really different perspective. I’ll definitely consider the means of production more in the future.